Highway 97 to open west of Chetwynd by noon Today

CHETWYND, B.C. – By noon today Highway 97 south from Mackenzie Junction to Chetwynd will be open to single-lane alternating traffic with intermittent delays at a number of sites along the route, Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Todd Stone announced today.

Those using the highway for commercial or public travel should plan for single lane alternating traffic, some of it piloted, at several sites along the corridor. Motorists should also allow extra time for their trip. Overweight and over-dimensional loads are not permitted at this time. Crews will be continuing to work 24 hours a day to open the route to full traffic.

“This is important for the local residents who’ve been cut off from their communities for several days after the unprecedented rainstorm that severely damaged whole sections of the highway and washed away a number of side roads,” said Stone. “Highway 97 South is now open ‘round the clock thanks to the tireless work of our highway crews, maintenance contractors and volunteers.”

Nearly 200 pieces of equipment have been working continuously to safely restore the numbered highways and side roads washed out by the flooding. Highway 29 south opened Saturday evening to single-lane alternating traffic and Highway 2 in Dawson Creek is currently open to two lanes with crews aiming to have it back to four lanes by next week.

Of the 40 side roads affected, 21 are now open to a minimum of single-lane alternating traffic. The total number of repair sites is 186, all primarily in the South Peace area. Motorists are expected to drive with caution and obey all advisory signage.

“We have a lot of resources up here working hard to repair the damaged roads and ensure they’re safe for travel and I can say that residents are extremely grateful to the highway crews and staff who’ve pitched in to help,” said MLA for Peace River South Mike Bernier. “I’d like to thank the local government and First Nations for their support and I’m grateful to area residents for their patience through this challenging situation.”

While a number of affected routes have reopened, there is still much work to be done on area roads to restore them to pre-flood conditions. Ministry crews are assessing the damage to bridges and roads and will be doing the work necessary to reinforce them for the long term against another event of this nature. The ministry anticipates it will have crews and equipment working in the area for some time.

Highways 97 South between Mackenzie Junction and Chetwynd, and Highway 29 South between Chetwynd and Tumbler Ridge were closed because of washouts and flooding caused by heavy rainfall on June 15 and 16, 2016.